Movie: Big Daddy
Rating: PG13
Genre: Comedy
Starring: Adam Sandler
Joey Lauren Adams
Jon Stewert
Leslie Mann
Josh Mostel
Directed by Dennis Dugan
Produced by Sidney Ganis,
Jack Giarraputo
Written by Steve Franks,
Tim Herlihy
Rating: 83%
Sonny Koufax, (Adam Sandler) is 32 years old and willing to
do anything to avoid the responsibilities of being an
adult. However, all that changes the minute his girlfriend
threatens to leave him if he doesn't show at least one
sign of maturity, and the ability to take responsibility
for the things he does. As a result, he adopts five year
old Julian under the false pretense of being his biological
father. However, he slowly learns what real responsibilty
is, as he acts as a father to this house broken child. Before
long, his own childhood days are over, and Sonny learns
what being a big daddy is all about.
A movie like this is among the most difficult to review--
not because it's a bad movie or anything, but because of
the film's style. In general, the film was incredibly
well done and gives us a taste of what Adam Sandler is
all about. I perfect honesty, it did cross the line a
few times when it came to some of the jokes. Nonetheless,
the insults are somewhat a part of what an Adam Sandler
flick is all about. Something that I absolutely LOVED,
however, was how much they made fun of drama, and "touching
scenes." It was hilarious! One minute, your thinking..
"Oh my gosh! Is an Adam Sandler movie getting.... CORNY?"
Yet the next minute, someone says something incredibly
funny to just crack up the whole moment. For instance, during
Julian's seperation from his "Big Daddy," everythings going
pretty prosaic, and mundane (It's sad, the kid's going "
Daddy! I don't wanna leave!") but all of the sudden, the
kid shouts "I won't sing the kangaroo song anymore! Hey!
I wipe my own a--! I wipe my own a--!" And with that, let's
begin with the acting.
So often, movies get corny, dry, cheesy, and even a little
sappy. However, this movie tends to mock all those types
of film. First of all, Adam Sandler portrays
this "Big Daddy," in a way that's never been seen before.
First of all, he's basically a loser so it seems completely
impossible for this to ever work out. Furthermore, he
initially adopts the kid in an attempt to impress his
girlfriend. However, through all this immaturity, and
seperation from grace, Sandler manages to create a character
with compassion, and even a little liability. Now, that's
tough to do when your character goes to the park for the
mere purpose of tripping the park's rollerbladers. Sandler
also shows the development of his relationship with Julian
in a realistic, and genuine way. It doesn't have the air of
"plastic." In other words... it's not fake. Sandler's
character is vivid-- he's drawn out.
While I'm not even going to try to say this film has a "Titanic
plot," I will say this: "Big Daddy" is one of the funniest
films I've seen in a while. It makes the audience laugh, and
basically feel good. In a sense of comedy, I'd give it
a 99%. Which is WHY it's so incredibly difficult to rate
this film. The comedy is there; it's funny. On the other
hand, a lot more goes into a movie than quick wit, and good
humor. As a result, I suppose an overall, sound rating
would be an 83% although it's given with much hesitation.
The film's LOL entertaining and I found it hysterically
full of enjoyment. If you want a good laugh, and MAYBE
a cry of on the floor cracking up, this flick is DEFINATELY
the film you want to see. It's worthwile. I don't say
that very often, but it is.
